How a Salaryman Became an Underworld Boss

”I will. By the way, how are preparations for the operation against the Triad’s American branches progressing?”

”[Right now we’re conducting the final operational review together with the Gomez crime family and our military forces.]”

”I have complete confidence in the professionalism of everyone involved.”

”[Hahaha, thank you for your kind words.]”

I deliberately flattered Director Nevers because I had a very specific objective in mind.

”There’s something else I need to tell you.”

”[There’s no need. I already know everything.]”

”...How?”

”[Chairman Gomez personally informed me that you’ve opened substantial short positions against Golden Health.]”

”And here I was worrying for nothing.”

”[Without Korea Investment’s timely assistance, we never would have succeeded in wiping out the Triad along with its entire drug trafficking network. Considering everything you’ve done, we’ll simply overlook it this time.]”

”Thank you for your understanding. I also sincerely hope you’ll capture Triad Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui alive.”

”[Naturally. We must take him alive.]”

Director Nevers’ voice was filled with absolute confidence.

After exchanging a few more routine remarks, I ended the call.

As soon as I put down my phone, Chairman Yoon Jongu immediately asked,

”What did the FBI Director say?”

”He already knows about our short positions from Chairman Gomez and promised they’ll overlook them this time.”

”Phew... Thank goodness. By the way, who exactly is this Jeong Sanhak?”

”My mother worked at a restaurant in the center of Taebaek for nearly twenty years.”

I told Chairman Yoon everything my mother and restaurant owner Jang Seokcho had told me, without leaving anything out.

”...That’s why I intend to completely eliminate this gang of card sharks.”

”I sympathize with poor Mr. Jang, but is it really worth going this far?”

”It’s obvious Mr. Jang isn’t the only victim this fraud syndicate has swindled.”

”That’s true.”

”That’s exactly why I brought it up. I’ll need to make a business trip to Macau very soon.”

”But why can’t you simply leave the job of eliminating those criminals to Secretary Kang?”

Chairman Yoon Jongu’s question clearly revealed that he didn’t want me going to Macau.

Naturally, I already had more than enough convincing arguments prepared, so I wasn’t worried in the slightest.

”Chairman Yoon, surely you remember K&J Bio, the company that caused Korea Investment enormous losses?”

”How could I forget those scoundrels?”

”We’ve received intelligence that the company’s fugitive former CEO, Go Yeongjun, is currently hiding in Macau.”

”Hmm. So you’re going there to capture him personally?”

”Exactly, Chairman Yoon.”

”In that case, go. It would be wonderful if you could catch that bastard and recover all of our frozen money.”

”I’ll do everything in my power.”

With those words, I turned toward Kang Inhan.

”Secretary Kang, do you think any of the arrested Scorpion Gang members might have a photograph of Jeong Sanhak?”

”Almost certainly.”

”We need to obtain that photograph. Can you arrange it?”

”I’ll find a way. But can they really identify him from a single photograph?”

”If the FBI says they can, I’m inclined to trust their capabilities.”

Ding!

At that moment, my phone chimed.

It appeared Director Nevers had already sent Zhang Silin’s file.

Quickly navigating through the menu, I forwarded the email to Kang Inhan before continuing,

”Secretary Kang, I’ve just forwarded everything on Zhang Silin to you. Send it to Team Leader Lee Hyeonsol, who’s currently coordinating our operational team in Macau.”

”Yes, understood.”

After giving his brief acknowledgment, Kang Inhan hurried out of the office.

Chairman Yoon Jongu watched him leave thoughtfully before quietly murmuring, almost to himself,

”It looks like things are about to get very turbulent in Macau.”